Space FML, a New Family of Space Materials Properties and Performances of GLARE 1

Fibre Metal Laminates (FML) are in the aircraft market established materials, especially since Airbus has applied it in significant large quantities on the fuselage of the Airbus A380 with the FML grade GLARE. GLARE was developed primarily to enhance the fatigue resistance capabilities of aluminium alloys. This FML grade offers also other important advantages for primary structures, like passengers protection thank to its proven fire and impact resistance capabilities. Due its layered configuration (alternating layers of metal and fibre composites with different fibre orientations), FML can be optimized to specific applications. An initial evaluation programme has been defined and executed in order to evaluate the potential of FML for space applications and to determine the route for further optimization towards a Space graded FML.^[1]

This paper introduces the Space FML concept.

In particular, the test results of GLARE 1 and its aluminium constituent 7475 will be presented with particular focus on space applications, including:

• Mechanical properties (BOL, -150⁰C and +150⁰C, after TE and after TC)
  • Tensile Strength, Yield Strength, Young’s modulus
  • Blunt Notch
  • Compression Yield and Young’s modulus
  • ILLS
  • Fatigue (BOL, -150⁰C and +150⁰C and different R-ratios)
    • Crack growth
    • DK_th
    • Corrosion
    • Physical properties
      • Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
      • Thermal Vacuum Outgassing

Finally potential applications of Space FML and further optimization activities to improve the Space FML for current spacecraft, like ISS and future man outer space missions will be discussed.

^[1]         ESA, Materials and Manufacturing Processes; Dr. T. Ghidini, Head of the Materials Technology Section, ASTRIUM Space Transportation-3^rd R&T DAYS – 15-16/11/2012, Paris.